Podolski: 'I'm improving all the time'

FCBayernNews · News fetcher Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 1240 votes: 2

31.08.2006

Star signing Lukas Podolski remains totally unruffled after five friendly appearances and three Bundesliga outings without a goal. "It's always been the case that I need a certain amount of time to rediscover my rhythm. That's what happened after Euro 2002, after the Confederations Cup and now after the World Cup," the striker has told respected weekly journal kicker.

The former Cologne goal-getter, named best young player at the World Cup in the summer, remains supremely confident despite the wait for his first goal in a Bayern shirt. "I'm full of belief at the moment," he continued. "I'm noticing it's coming together more and more with every training session and every match. I'm getting better all the time."

No rush, coach insists

The Munich club was always prepared for the fact that the 21-year-old would be in no position to set the world alight immediately after arriving in Bavaria. Podolski only returned from vacation two weeks ahead of the opening Bundesliga fixture, and coach Felix Magath has always said his new striker would require time to settle.

"It's his first time at a club of Bayern's stature, the best team in Germany. It's uncharted territory for him," Magath exclusively told FCB.tv. "He's also away from home for the first time in his life. He'll be mentally working through these things. It's hard to say how quickly he'll acclimatise."

Positive trend

The Bayern boss has recognised Podolski's rapidly improving form. "He's come along well over the last few days, and always added a lot of drive after coming on. I'm extremely hopeful he'll soon get more time on the pitch than he's had of late."

The German international made a token two-minute appearance in the first Bundesliga fixture, before clocking up 12 and then 32 minutes in the next two matches. "Taking it step by step is good for me," the player inclined. "I'm improving all the time. I'll be at 100 percent in a few weeks."

Driven by rivalry

The internal battle for places is a motivating factor, the former Cologne striker insisted. "I'm training with God knows how many good players, which will help me make the most of my potential. It's higher-paced, there's more rivalry, which just makes me want to achieve even more."

Off the field, Podolski is already fully settled into the champions' dressing room. "I feel totally accepted by the team, and despite the rivalry, there's a tremendous camaraderie," he explained. Against such a positive background, goals will surely follow very soon.

MUTU

Good thing his confidence's still up. To note that he technically did score in the German League Cup final against Werder Bremen, only for the referee to incorrectly rule the goal out for offside.